Policy Advisor, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning , Resilience Program

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning independent think tank working to accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resource management, and fair economies. Our work inspires better decisions and sparks meaningful action to help people and the planet thrive. We shine a light on what can be achieved when governments, businesses, non-profits, and communities come together. IISD’s staff of more than 220 people, plus over 150 associates and consultants, come from across the globe and from many disciplines. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, our work affects lives in nearly 100 countries.

IISD’s Resilience Program is a multidisciplinary team of policy researchers who work with governments, civil society, communities, and businesses to help them manage climate- and conflict-related risks. Its work focuses on planning, people, and nature—preparing for a different or uncertain future, making sure different genders and social groups influence and benefit from investments in resilience, and harnessing the role of ecosystems to help communities manage risks.

The Position

The Policy Advisor – Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) will lead the development and implementation of the overall MEL framework of IISD’s new Climate Adaptation and Protected Area (CAPA) Initiative and consolidate our learning on how best to design and implement nature-based solutions that are nature positive, climate resilient, and gender responsive. The CAPA Initiative seeks to promote natural solutions to strengthening climate resilience and protecting biodiversity in and around Protected Areas (PAs) and critical landscapes in the Global South. The Initiative’s intervention sites cover marine, coastal, and terrestrial ecosystems and landscapes in Belize, Fiji, and the Greater Virunga and Kavango-Zambezi landscapes. The CAPA Initiative is jointly implemented with the World Wildlife Fund’s Regional Office for Africa and its country offices in Uganda and Zambia, alongside the Fiji and Belize offices of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The successful candidate will lead the design and implementation of the CAPA Initiative’s overall project MEL framework, tied to the CAPA theory of change, as well as MEL of nature-based solutions (NbS) for adaptation across the four project sites. The candidate will support implementation partners in the Global South by providing training and technical support on the design and implementation of MEL systems for NbS for adaptation. This will involve strengthening the capacity of partners to develop and implement site-specific MEL through the development of tools and processes to collect, analyze, and manage data and evidence on the project indicators toward reporting and communications at both the outcome and impact levels (including annual surveys, structured interviews, rolling profiles, and focus group discussions). The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team, working closely with IISD staff, affiliates, consultants, and partners in different parts of the world.

The successful candidate should understand the broader policy conversation and efforts about climate adaptation, NbS, biodiversity conservation, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Responsibilities

The successful candidate’s key areas of responsibility will include but not be limited to:

Project Coordination and Implementation (~35%)

• Plan, organize, and oversee MEL programming for IISD’s new CAPA Initiative and support reporting requirements on the project’s theory of change.
• Work with partners in the four project sites (Belize, Fiji, and the Greater Virunga and Kavango-Zambezi landscapes) to develop and implement MEL frameworks that capture how project activities are delivering climate adaptation, biodiversity, and gender impacts and benefits; who is benefiting from the programs; and if/where adjustments are needed over the course of the project.
• Work collaboratively with in-country partners at the four project sites, including government representatives, non-governmental organizations, and consultants, on implementing activities related to measuring, evaluating, and learning from the progress of the CAPA Initiative.
• Design and deliver virtual and face-to-face workshops, trainings, meetings, and other MEL-focused events of various sizes.

Research and Issues Tracking (~40%)

• Conduct substantive reviews and research on different aspects of measuring progress in climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation, with a focus on PAs and NbS, such as designing effective MEL systems for measuring NbS for adaptation; data and information management for MEL systems; and indicators of NbS for adaptation.
• Establish and report against baseline targets and use mixed-method approaches to collect data against defined indicators for progress reporting.
• Analyze information collected through annual surveys, structured interviews, rolling profiles, and focus group discussions.
• Write reports, papers, and briefs that accurately assess and synthesize research findings.
• Follow and summarize news and events pertaining to measuring progress in climate adaptation and NbS.

Engagement and Networking (10%):

• Work collaboratively with IISD colleagues and with partners in government, the private sector, and research and non-governmental organizations (as well as with consultants), in implementing initiatives related to measuring progress in climate adaptation.
• Establish and actively maintain a network of partners and contacts working on measuring progress in climate adaptation to advance the strategic objectives of IISD in this area.
• Strengthen IISD’s involvement in relevant networks and initiatives around the world, in line with its objectives.

Communications and Outreach (10%):

• Prepare knowledge products and presentations that summarize and share the CAPA Initiative’s work on effective MEL systems for measuring NbS for adaptation, with limited oversight.
• Share research results through webinars, workshops, conferences, and other events.
• Represent IISD at national and international forums.

Business Development (5%):

• Support other IISD personnel with the development of new project ideas and proposals on climate change adaptation.
• Work with CAPA project managers to contribute to the preparation of narrative reports to the funder.

Please note that our Resilience team works across multiple time zones. We are looking for someone with a “can-do” work attitude, who can work autonomously while proactively engaging with other team members, particularly those working in a remote and/or hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

Qualifications (Essential)

• A master’s degree or equivalent in international development, environmental studies, geography, conservation, or another similar area.
• Availability to travel internationally (about 25% of the time).

Knowledge and Experience (Essential)

• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in climate change adaptation, conservation, NbS, and MEL, particularly in the Global South.
• Considerable experience formulating strategies to achieve MEL goals, developing and implementing MEL plans, and reporting on progress, ideally in climate change adaptation, conservation, NbS, and/or the SDGs.
• Good understanding and experiential knowledge of implementing a result-based management approach, including familiarity with theory of change and performance measurement frameworks.
• Experience working with different approaches including monitoring and evaluation, MEL, and Global Affairs Canada’s reporting requirements would be considered a strong asset.
• Knowledge of international development and experience working in the Global South.

Skills (Essential)

• Excellent coordination skills, with an ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and liaise with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to report against baseline targets and design mixed-method approaches to collect data against defined indicators for progress reporting.
• Ability to analyze information collected through annual surveys, structured interviews, rolling profiles, and focus group discussions.
• Strong research and analytical skills, and ability to become familiar with new topics quickly.
• Confident and engaging communication skills, and an ability to synthesize information in plain language and tailor communications approaches to different audiences.
• Fluent in written and spoken English. French and/or Spanish language skills considered an asset.

Behavioural Competencies (Essential)

• Be results-focused and able to work quickly and accurately to meet tight deadlines without compromising the quality of the results.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work comfortably across different cultures.
• Be inclusive, positive, and able to communicate effectively.

Location: Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg

Term: Full-time

Salary: $59,235 – $80,300 (based on experience)

Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: May 7, 2023 at 4 p.m. EST

All submissions must be in English.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR

• A CV (no longer than two pages)
• A one-page letter of motivation
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional)

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.

Please apply to only one posting, as this role is posted to multiple cities.

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted.  Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year.

IISD has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy that requires employees who are required or choose to be at an office or participate in in-person team events or in-person meetings/events to be fully vaccinated. Anyone unable to be fully vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or disability that prevents them from being fully vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants' advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.